I’ve been on a mission to create the best smoothie recipes without yogurt!
While many smoothie recipes call for yogurt as a base, there are plenty of delicious and dairy-free alternatives for those who may be vegan, lactose intolerant, or simply looking to switch things up. (Or people like me, who rarely keep yogurt in the house).
In my quest to create smoothies without yogurt, I’ve discovered that there are no limits to the ingredients you can use to create a creamy and satisfying drink.
These yogurt-free smoothie recipes and ingredients provide a healthier option to my dessert recipes and open the door to a world of unique flavors and textures.
The Ratios to Make a Perfect Smoothie
As a smoothie lover, I have experimented with various ingredients and amounts. I’ve found that specific ratios consistently lead to delicious smoothies no matter what ingredients I have on hand.
Follow these simple guidelines, and you can confidently build a delicious and nutritious smoothie without yogurt every time.
Fruits and vegetables:
I use a 2:1 ratio of fruits to vegetables in smoothies for the perfect balance of flavors and nutrients. Add one cup of leafy greens or other vegetables for every two cups of fruit.
If you prefer a sweeter smoothie, feel free to adjust the ratio to your taste.
Liquid:
In my experience, the ideal smoothie needs approximately 1 cup of liquid for every 3 cups of fruits and vegetables. Adjust according to your desired consistency.
Some popular liquid choices include almond milk, coconut water, or even iced green tea.
Sweeteners:
Sometimes, the fruits’ natural sweetness might not be sweet enough to satisfy your taste buds. When this happens, you can add a natural sweetener, such as honey, agave syrup, or pure maple syrup.
Be sure to start with a small amount and adjust, as too much sweetness can overpower the flavors of the fruits and vegetables. I usually start with 1 Tablespoon and adjust to taste.
Add-ins:
You can add various extras to boost your smoothie’s nutritional content. Some of my favorites include:
- 1-2 tablespoons of nut or seed butter for healthy fats
- A scoop of protein powder or collagen peptides to support muscle growth and recovery
- A tablespoon of chia, flax, or hemp seeds for fiber and omega-3 fatty acids
These ratios may need to be adjusted based on your preferences and the ingredients and textures you’re working with.
Healthy Smoothie Ingredients
The following ingredients make delicious-tasting smoothies, and many are great for a vegan, lactose intolerant, gluten-free, or paleo diet.
Fruits and Veggies
When making a smoothie without yogurt, I like to use a variety of fruits and veggies to ensure a good balance of flavor and nutrients. Some of my favorite choices include:
- Overripe bananas: These provide natural sweetness and creaminess to the smoothie base.
- Leafy greens: Spinach and kale are packed with fiber, vitamins, and minerals
- Vitamin C-rich fruits: Blueberries, mangoes, and strawberries add delicious flavors and provide antioxidants.
- Iron-rich fruits: Raspberries and watermelon are excellent sources of iron and other essential nutrients.
Non-Dairy Milk Alternatives
For those seeking dairy-free alternatives, there are plenty of non-dairy milk options that provide protein and creaminess to smoothies:
- Almond milk: Low in calories and packed with calcium and vitamin E. Suitable for most diets, including vegan.
- Oat milk: High in fiber and contains a good balance of carbohydrates, fat, and protein. It’s known for its sweetness and thickness. It’s a great source of fiber (but only suitable for those avoiding gluten if it’s labeled gluten-free).
- Coconut Milk: Made from grated coconut, this milk offers a rich, creamy texture and tropical flavor. Available in both beverage and canned forms.
- Coconut water: A light and refreshing option that’s also an excellent source of potassium and electrolytes.
- Rice Milk: Derived from milled rice and water, it’s naturally sweeter and tends to be thinner than other plant milks. It’s a good option for those who are nut-allergic
- Flax Milk: Made from flax seeds, it’s a good source of omega-3 fatty acids and has a mild, neutral flavor.
Nut Butter Additions
Incorporating nut butters into my smoothie can boost healthy fats and make the smoothie more filling:
- Almond butter: Offers a good source of protein, healthy fats, and vitamin E.
- Cashew butter: Creamy and loaded with iron and magnesium.
- Nuts and Seeds: If you don’t have nut butter, throw some whole nuts into the blender. This could include walnuts, pecans, sunflower seeds, or pumpkin seeds. Keep in mind that unless you have a very powerful blender, your smoothie may have some texture.
Healthy Sweetener Alternatives
If a recipe requires a little extra sweetness, I opt for natural alternatives to refined sugar, such as:
- Frozen fruit: Adds natural sweetness without any added sugars.
- Rolled oats: Provide a subtle sweetness as well as added fiber.
- Natural syrups: These can include maple syrup, agave nectar, or honey (for non-vegan diets). They add sweetness and distinct flavors while being less refined than white sugar.
- Stevia: A plant-based, zero-calorie sweetener that’s much sweeter than sugar, so a little goes a long way. Available in powder or liquid form, it can be a good option for those watching their sugar intake or following a low-carb diet.
Bananas: Overripe bananas can be mashed and used as a natural sweetener, especially in baked goods, like my 4-ingredient banana bread.
Monk Fruit Sweetener: A zero-calorie sweetener derived from monk fruit that’s naturally sweeter than sugar, making it suitable for low-calorie or ketogenic diets.
Added Nutrients and Boosters
Lastly, I like to incorporate additional nutrients to ensure that my smoothies are packed with vital nutrients:
- Chia seeds: Rich in protein, healthy fats, fiber, and iron, boosting any smoothie.
- Maca powder: Offers a pleasant, nutty flavor and is known for its energy-enhancing properties. Believed to boost energy and endurance.
- Cacao: Raw cacao nibs or powder can add a chocolatey flavor while offering antioxidants.
- Spirulina or Chlorella: Nutrient-dense Green superfood powders.
- Coconut Oil or MCT Oil: To add healthy fats.
- Collagen Powder: Great for skin, hair, and joints, and is also protein-rich (though not vegan).
Experiment with different combinations to find your perfect blend!
Creamy Dairy-Free Strawberry Smoothie Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup of fresh or frozen strawberries
- 1/2 medium ripe avocado
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1 tablespoon honey or agave syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- A handful of ice cubes optional
Instructions
- To make the smoothie, simply follow these steps:
- Combine the strawberries, avocado, almond milk, chia seeds, honey or agave syrup, vanilla extract, and ice cubes (if using) in a blender.
- Blend until smooth and creamy, adjusting the sweetness as desired by adding more honey or agave syrup.
- Pour the smoothie into a glass and enjoy immediately.
Mixed Berry Smoothie Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup raspberries
- 1 cup blueberries
- 1 ripe banana
- 1 cup almond milk or any other milk of your choice
- 1 tablespoon honey optional, for added sweetness
- 1 cup ice cubes
Instructions
- Start by rinsing the raspberries and blueberries thoroughly under cold water.
- Peel the ripe banana.
- Combine the berries, banana, almond milk, honey (if using), and ice cubes in a blender.
- Blend well, ensuring all ingredients are well incorporated, and no large chunks remain.
- Pour the smoothie into a glass and enjoy immediately.
Notes
Apple Avocado Smoothie Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 medium apple cored and chopped
- 1 ripe avocado pitted and peeled
- 1 cup fresh spinach
- 1 cup of non-dairy milk of your choice
- 1 tablespoon honey or agave syrup optional
- 1 cup ice cubes
Instructions
- Place the chopped apple, avocado, fresh spinach, almond milk, and honey or agave syrup (if using) in a blender.
- Blend the ingredients on high speed until you achieve a smooth and creamy consistency. Add more almond milk if needed for a thinner consistency.
- Add the ice to the blender, then blend until the smoothie is chilled and icy.
- Pour the smoothie into a glass and enjoy immediately.
Notes
Fresh Cherry Smoothie Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh cherries pitted
- 1 ripe banana
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1 tablespoon honey optional
- 1 handful of ice cubes
Instructions
- Prepare the cherries by removing the pits. A cherry pitter or a small knife works well for this.
- In a blender, combine the fresh cherries, ripe banana, unsweetened almond milk, and honey if you’d like your smoothie to be sweeter.
- Add a handful of ice cubes to the blender. This will give the smoothie a chilled and slightly slushy texture.
- Blend the ingredients until smooth. You can add a little more almond milk to adjust the consistency if you find it too thick.
- Pour the smoothie into a glass and enjoy your refreshing Fresh Cherry Smoothie!
Healthy Greens Smoothie Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 cucumber sliced
- 1/2 avocado peeled and pitted
- 1 cup spinach tightly packed
- 1 cup water or coconut water for added flavor
- 1 green apple cored and chopped
- a squeeze of lemon and some sweetener of your choice optional
Instructions
- Place all the ingredients in a blender.
- Blend until smooth and creamy. If the consistency is too thick, add a little more water.
- Pour into a glass and enjoy immediately.
Notes
Power Blueberry Smoothie Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup frozen blueberries
- 1 medium ripe banana
- 1 cup spinach packed
- 1 cup almond milk unsweetened
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1 tablespoon flaxseed meal
- 1 scoop protein powder optional
Instructions
- Place all the ingredients in a blender.
- Blend everything until smooth and creamy.
- Pour the smoothie into a glass and enjoy your delicious drink!
That’s just the start of the endless smoothie recipes without yogurt that you can whip up! Test them out and see which ratios of ingredients you prefer. They’re the perfect healthy drink when you’re craving something sweet and dairy-free.
